The law is different in different states. The only source of reliable information and
advice is a lawyer licensed to practice in the state of interest, with experience in
probate there.
An IRA requires a named beneficiary. If there are no beneficiaries named, it will be a part of the estate.
Goes to the beneficiaries heir's or estate.
The question is asked a little awkwardly. Most people intend to ask how the deceased individuals assets are dealt with not the recipients/beneficiaries. However, the assets of a beneficiary's estate should increase since they are receiving assets from a deceased individual. Also, if a beneficiary is deceased their assets, including any inheritance, will pass to their own beneficiaries under the terms of their will.
No. The trust specifies what happens if the beneficiaries are no longer living. It could go to the beneficiaries' estates, or a remainder man, or to a charity. It is possible for the person who set up the trust to leave it to the trustee.
The policy holder has the choice to change the name of the beneficiary at any time, including after the death of a named beneficiary. If the policy holder doesn't change the name of the beneficiary after the beneficiaries death, depending on what state you live in it goes to next of kin.
It becomes an asset of the estate. It will be inventoried with the other assets. It can then be used to pay debts and then distributed to the beneficiaries per the will or the intestacy laws.
It will depend on how the will was written. Depending on the wording, it may go to the beneficiary's heirs, or it may be divided up between the other beneficiaries of the original will. If the testator is aware of the death of a beneficiary they should amend their will. If they don't, then see the information in the related question link provided below.
In the state of California, if a person passes away intestate the named beneficiaries will stand. That being said, your stepmother could not supersede on the pension in California if she is not a named beneficiary.
The life insurance company holds the money without contributing interest. There is no time limit on the time you can file a death claim.
Usually the insurance company takes extreme care to locate and pay beneficiaries who are listed by the decedent. If they cannot find a person, then the money is held until they can. You could contact the insurance board, but first check to be sure that the person who did not get paid was actually a beneficiary.
When a beneficiary dies before a testator there are two things that can happen--either the gift will lapse, meaning that it will not pass to them but will stay with the estate or the gift (in this case money) will go to the family of the now deceased beneficiary. Whether one happens over another will depend on the wording in the will and the nature of the gift
Incase something happens to the first beneficiary. Such as: they pass away.